Thai Con-Woman Sentenced to 150 Years for Royal Defemation

Kamonthat Thanathornkhositjira, also known as Kim-eng Sae Tia, was sentenced to a total of 150 years for Lese Majeste.

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BANGKOK – Thailand’s Military Court has sentences aÂ Thai con-woman to 150 years in jail after defaming the royal family by promising favors from them to people in exchange for cash.

She was accused of swindling people, out of around US$145,000 (S$206,252.35) between 2010 and 2014.

Kamonthat Thanathornkhositjira, also known as Kim-eng Sae Tia, was sentenced to a total of 150 years on 33 counts defaming the royal family by promising favors from them to people in exchange for cash, however the term was reduced to 50 years because of her confession.

The charges against Kamonthat included making fake documents purported to be from the Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary and conning people to contribute money for royal kathin ceremonies.

Kramonthas told her victims that the favours would flow ‘if they donated money for merit-making with royal family’, the prosecutor told the court.

The prosecutor explained she will serve the legal maximum of 50 years after pleading guilty.

Kramonthas is half-sister to Monta Yokrattanakan, better known as ‘Ying Kai’, who is awaiting trial over royal defamation and human trafficking charges.

Her case has seized Thai headlines but remains shrouded in mystery like many alleged royal defamation crimes.

The monarchy is a highly sensitive issue in Thailand, with the law and social opprobrium swiftly brought down on anyone deemed critical of the institution.